A 57-year-old Alabama woman has been convicted of bilking an elderly assisted-living resident in Etowah County out of more than $10 million.

Lisa Talton Wells Daugherty pleaded guilty Monday to four counts of first-degree financial exploitation of an elderly person, which is a Class B felony.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the conviction, and said Daugherty was sentenced to 20 years, with five years to actually serve in prison. She also agreed to relinquish all claims to about $5.5 million that is the subject of pending federal litigation, and to make restitution for the remain balance.

Daugherty worked as a care technician at Oak Landing Assisted Living when the crimes took place against a resident there.

Authorities said Daugherty became power of attorney for the elderly victim. She immediately began transferring funds from the victim’s accounts to her own, ultimately totaling over $8.5 million.

Daugherty also took control over the victim’s property, valued at more over $1,5 million.

She then used the victim’s money to benefit herself by purchasing a home in Etowah County and a beach house, each valued more than $1 million, multiple vehicles valued more than $120,000 and $86,000 in dental implants, among other purchases.

“Daugherty will feel the full force of justice after using her position as a caregiver to exploit a vulnerable elderly woman from her life savings,” Marshall said. “This is an egregious example of financial fraud that continues to happen in our state, and I urge Alabamians to contact my office if they suspect someone is being used for Medicaid fraud or abuse.”

The investigation was initiated by Attorney General Marshall’s Office after a referral from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama and carried out by the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.